Service mode display on a handheld communication device

ABSTRACT

In a handheld communication device capable of a plurality of wireless communication modes, a method of communication begins by receiving, at the handheld communication device, a notification of an available one of the wireless communication modes. Then, in a data communication window of the communication device, a user-indication of an active one of the available wireless communication modes is provided in accordance with the received communication mode indication. The data communication window is configured to facilitate data communication via the plurality of wireless communication modes, and facilitates the data communication via the active wireless communication mode.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein relates to a handheld communicationdevice that is capable of communicating over different communicationmodes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern handheld communication devices are configured with multiplewireless transceivers which provide the device with multiple wirelesscommunication modes. For instance, a handheld communication device couldbe configured for voice communication over a Global System for MobileCommunications (GSM) network, and data communication with Bluetoothperipheral devices. A handheld computing device could be configured fordata communication over both a General Packet Radio Service/EnhancedData rates for GSM Evolution (GPRS/EDGE) network and a local WiFi (IEEE802.11x) network.

Configuring a single communication device to communicate over differentcommunication modes obviously enhances the versatility of the device.However, this enhanced versatility can be problematic since the useroften has limited control over the communication modes that areavailable at any given time. As a result, the user might expect thedevice to be communicating over a free WiFi network, when, in fact, thedevice is actually communicating over a billable GSM network. Similarly,the user might expect the device to be communicating over a high-speedshort-range WiFi network, when, in fact, the device has moved out ofrange of the WiFi network and is actually communicating over a low-speedlong-range GPRS/EDGE network.

Awan (U.S. Pat. No. 6,438,390) describes a cellular telephone that has aLED controller, and a multi-coloured status LED. The LED controllercontrols the sequence of flashes and the flash colour of the LED toindicate the status of the device. Possible status indicators include noservice, in-service, roaming and message waiting.

Murray (U.S. Pat. No. 7,072,468) describes a portable cellular telephonethat is configured for both cellular and dispatch communication modes.The telephone includes a pair of light sources, each located within thetelephone housing, for visually indicating the active communication modeto the user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, withreference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting a communications network,including the handheld communications device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 is a front plan view of the handheld communications devicedepicted in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram depicting certain functional details ofthe data processing means of the handheld communications device,including the communication mode authorization procedure, acommunication procedure, and a communication mode indicating procedure;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram depicting certain additional functionaldetails of the handheld communications device;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart depicting, by way of overview, the methodperformed by the handheld communications device when providing auser-indication of the active communication mode in a data communicationwindow of the communication device;

FIG. 6 (comprising FIGS. 6a to 6b ) is a flow chart depicting, indetail, the method performed by the handheld communications device whenproviding the user-indication of the active communication mode; and

FIGS. 7 to 9 are screenshots that depict sample user-indications of theactive communication modes.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

By way of overview, the invention described herein relates to a handheldcommunication device which is capable of multiple communication modesand provides a user-indication of the active communication mode in adata communication window of the communication device.

As will be described in further detail below, in accordance with a firstaspect of the invention, there is provided a method of communication ina handheld communication device that is capable of a plurality ofwireless communication modes. The method, according to this first aspectof the invention, begins by receiving, at the handheld communicationdevice, a notification of the wireless communication mode(s) that is/areavailable to the handheld communications device.

Then, in a data communication window of the communication device, auser-indication of an active one of the available wireless communicationmodes is provided in accordance with the received communication modeindication. The data communication window is configured to facilitatedata communication via the plurality of wireless communication modes.The data communication window facilitates the data communication via theactive wireless communication mode.

In accordance with a second aspect of the invention, there is provided awireless communications device that comprises communication modeauthorization means, communication means, and communication modeindicating means in communication the with the communication modeauthorization means and the communication means.

The communication mode authorization means is configured to receive anotification of the wireless communication mode(s) that is/are availableto the handheld communications device. The communication means isconfigured to render a data communication window for data communicationvia the plurality of wireless communication modes. The communicationmode indicating means is configured to provide, in the datacommunication window, a user-indication of the active one of theavailable wireless communication modes in accordance with the receivedcommunication mode indication.

In accordance with a third aspect of the invention, there is provided acomputer readable medium that carries processing instructions for anelectronic communications device that is capable of a plurality ofwireless communication modes. The processing instructions, when executedby a computer processor of the communications device, enables the deviceto implement data communication in the communication device.

The method, according to this third aspect of the invention, begins byreceiving, at the handheld communication device, a notification of thewireless communication mode(s) that is/are available to the handheldcommunications device.

Then, in a data communication window of the communication device, auser-indication of the active one of the available wirelesscommunication modes is provided in accordance with the receivedcommunication mode indication. The data communication window isconfigured to facilitate data communication via the plurality ofwireless communication modes. The data communication window facilitatesthe data communication via the active wireless communication mode.

As will be described below, in a preferred implementation thecommunication mode authorization means is configured to determine theactive wireless communication mode based on a predetermined preferencefor one of the available wireless communication modes. Further, the datacommunication window is associated with a data communication service,and the communication mode authorization means is also configured todetermine the active wireless communication mode based on anavailability of the data communication service via the preferredwireless communication mode.

Each of the wireless communication modes is available over a wirelesscarrier frequency, and the communication mode authorization means isalso configured to transmit over at least one of the wireless carrierfrequencies registration information to a provider of the associatedwireless communication mode, and to receive from the communication modeprovider (as the available mode notification) an authorization for useof the respective communication mode.

Further, the wireless communications device is configured to receive atleast one communication service. The communication mode indicating meansis configured to provide a user-indication of the active communicationmode for the communication service. Preferably, the communication modeindicating means is configured to render an icon in the datacommunication window indicative of the active communication mode for thecommunication service.

In the preferred implementation, the data communication servicecomprises a cellular communication mode or a WiFi communication mode,and the rendered icon comprises either a cellular icon indicating thecellular communication mode, or a WiFi icon indicating the WiFicommunication mode. Where the active communication mode comprises thecellular communication mode, preferably the cellular icon compriseseither a GPRS icon indicating a GPRS data communication mode, or an EDGEicon indicating an EDGE data communication mode.

Turning now to FIG. 1, a communications network, denoted generally as100, is shown comprising at least one wireless communications device200, and a wireless communications network and a wired communicationsnetwork both in communication with the wireless communications devices200. The wireless communications network comprises a primary wirelessnetwork 219 and a secondary wireless network 221. In the embodimentshown, the primary wireless network comprises a long-range cellularnetwork, and the secondary wireless network comprises a short rangelocal area wireless network. However, the wireless communicationsnetwork is not limited to any particular number or configuration ofwireless networks. For instance, the primary and secondary wirelessnetworks 219, 221 may both comprise long-range cellular networks, orshort range wireless networks. Further, the wireless communicationsnetwork may comprises a plurality of long-range cellular networks and/ora plurality of short range wireless networks.

As shown, the long-range wireless cellular network 219 comprises aplurality of remote base station subsystems (BSSs) 400, and a corenetwork 500 in communication with the BSSs 400. The short-range localarea network 221 comprises at least one local wireless node 600. Thewired communications network comprises at least one e-mail service 800,at least one web server 900, and a fixed network 700 in communicationwith the long-range wireless cellular network 219, the short-range localarea network 221, the e-mail services 800 and the web servers 900.

The BSSs 400 of the long-range wireless cellular network 219 communicatewith the core network 500 via a wired or optical link, and provide abridge between the wireless communications devices 200 and the corenetwork 500.

As shown, each BSS 400 includes a Base Station Controller (BSC) 402 anda plurality of Base Transceiver Stations (BTSs) 404. Each BTS 404includes one or more radio transceivers, the coverage area of eachdefining a long-range radio system cell. Preferably, the BTSs 404 areconfigured to communicate with the wireless communications devices 200over the radio system cells via a long-range wireless communicationsprotocol, such as GSM and/or Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA).However, the BSSs 404 may implement other long-range communicationprotocols.

Each BTS 404 is connected to the BSC 402 via a wired or optical link.The BSC 402 acts as a physical connection between the handheldcommunications device 200 and the core network 500.

Preferably, the core network 500 facilitates digital communicationbetween the handheld communications devices 200 and the fixed network700. Preferably, the core network 500 implements data (e.g. GPRS/EDGE)and/or telephony communications protocols. The core network 500communicates with the fixed network 700 via a wired or optical link, andacts as switching node to the fixed network 700. Typically, the fixednetwork 700 comprises a Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) or anIntegrated Services Digital Network (ISDN).

The local wireless node 600 of the short-range wireless local areanetwork 221 communicates with the fixed network 700 via a wired oroptical link, and provides a bridge between the local wirelesscommunications devices 200 and the fixed network 700. As shown, thelocal wireless node 600 includes a wireless base station 602, and alocal base station controller 604 coupled to the wireless base station602.

The base station 602 includes one or more radio transceivers, thecoverage area of each defining a local area cell. Preferably, the basestation 602 communicates with the local wireless communications devices200 over the local area cell via a short-range wireless communicationsprotocol, such as IEEE 802.11x and/or Bluetooth. However, the wirelessbase station 602 may implement other short-range wireless communicationsprotocols.

The base station 602 is connected to the local base station controller604 via a wired or optical link. The local base station controller 604acts as a physical connection between the handheld communications device200 and the fixed network 700, and facilitates digital communicationbetween the handheld communications devices 200 and the fixed network700. The local base station controller 604 communicates with the fixednetwork 700 via a wired or optical link.

The local wireless node 600 may be implemented within a privateinstitution, in which case the local base station controller 604provides restricted access to the fixed network 700 to only wirelesscommunications devices 200 that are registered users of the localwireless node 600. Alternately, the local wireless node 600 may beimplemented at public site, in which case the local base stationcontroller 604 provides unrestricted access to the fixed network 700.

Each e-mail service 800 comprises an e-mail server 802 and anauthorization database 804 in communication with the e-mail server 802,and provides e-mail services for the handheld communications devices200. The e-mail server 802 maintains an e-mail account for eachregistered user of the e-mail service 800, including the e-mail messagesthat are sent from and received in each e-mail account. Typically, thee-mail server 802 comprises a Microsoft Outlook Exchange Server, NovellGroupwise Server or other e-mail server solution, configured with aBlackberry Enterprise Server option.

The authorization database 804 includes authorization records for eache-mail account. Typically, the authorization records comprise uniquePersonal Identification Number (PIN) entries which identify the handheldcommunications device 200 associated with each e-mail account, andencryption keys which the e-mail server 802 uses for the encrypteddelivery of e-mail messages between the e-mail server 802 and thehandheld communications devices 200.

Each web server 900 implements a web site having content for renderingon the handheld communications devices 200. Preferably, the web server900 provides the handheld communications devices 200 with web pages thathave limited content. Alternately, or additionally, the web server mayserve web pages that are written in WML (Wireless Markup Language). Theweb server 900 may be publicly available, or may be deployed behind afirewall.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a sample handheld communicationsdevice 200 in accordance with the invention. Preferably, the handheldcommunications device 200 is a two-way wireless communications devicehaving at least voice and data communication capabilities, and isconfigured to operate within the wireless cellular network 219 and/orthe local area wireless network 221. Further, preferably the handheldcommunications device 200 has the capability to communicate with othercomputer services that are available via the Internet, such as thee-mail service 800 and the web server 900. Depending on the exactfunctionality provided, the wireless handheld communications device 200may be referred to as a data messaging device, a two-way pager, awireless e-mail device, a cellular telephone with data messagingcapabilities, a wireless Internet appliance, or a data communicationdevice, as examples.

As shown, the handheld communications device 200 includes a display 222,a function key 246, and data processing means 202 (not shown) disposedwithin a common housing 201. The display 222 comprises a backlit LCDdisplay. The data processing means 202 is in communication with thedisplay 222 and the function key 246. In one implementation, the backlitdisplay 222 comprises a transmissive LCD display, and the function key246 operates as a power on/off switch. Alternately, in anotherimplementation, the backlit display 222 comprises a reflective ortrans-reflective LCD display, and the function key 246 operates as abacklight switch.

In addition to the display 222 and the function key 246, the handheldcommunications device 200 includes user data input means for inputtingdata to the data processing means 202. As shown, preferably the userdata input means includes a keyboard 232, a thumbwheel 248 and an escapekey 260. The keyboard 232 includes alphabetic and numerical keys, andpreferably also includes a “Send” key and an “End” key to respectivelyinitiate and terminate voice communication. However, the data inputmeans is not limited to these forms of data input. For instance, thedata input means may include a trackball or other pointing deviceinstead of (or in addition to) the thumbwheel 248.

As shown in FIG. 3, the data processing means 202 comprises amicroprocessor 238 in communication with flash memory 224 and volatilememory (RAM) 226. The flash memory 224 includes computer processinginstructions which, when executed by the microprocessor 238, implementan operating system, computer programs, and operating system specificapplications. The operating system comprises an Open SystemsInterconnection (OSI) communication protocol stack that allows thehandheld communications device 200 to send and receive communicationsignals over the wireless cellular network 219 and the local areawireless network 221. Alternately, the computer processing instructionsmay be copied from the flash memory 224 into the RAM 226 upon systemreset or power-up, and executed by the microprocessor 238 out of the RAM226.

The operating system also includes a communication mode authorizationprocedure 302, and a communication mode indicating procedure 304. Thefunctions of the communication mode authorization procedure 302 and thecommunication mode indicating procedure 304 will be discussed in greaterdetail below. However, it is sufficient at this point to note that thecommunication mode indicating procedure 304 is in communication with thecommunication mode authorization procedure 302 and communicationsoftware 306 (e.g. internet browser, e-mail software and/or telephonesoftware) on the handheld communications device 200, and that thecommunication mode authorization procedure 302 and the communicationmode indicating procedure 304 together comprise a method that provides auser-indication of the active communication mode(s) in a datacommunication window of the handheld communications device 200.

It should also be understood that although the communication modeauthorization procedure 302 and communication mode indicating procedure304 are preferably implemented as a set of computer processinginstructions, these procedures may be implemented in electronicshardware instead.

FIG. 4 depicts functional details of the handheld communications device200. As shown, the handheld communications device 200 incorporates amotherboard that includes a communication subsystem 211, and themicroprocessor 238. Further, the communications device 200 also includesa SIM interface 244 if the handheld communications device 200 isintended for use within a GSM network, and/or a RUIM interface 244 ifthe handheld communications device 200 is intended for use within a CDMAnetwork. The communication subsystem 211 performs communicationfunctions, such as data and voice communications, and includes a primarytransmitter/receiver 212, a secondary transmitter/receiver 214, aprimary internal antenna 216 for the primary transmitter/receiver 212, asecondary internal antenna 218 for the secondary transmitter/receiver214, and local oscillators (LOs) 213 and one or more digital signalprocessors (DSP) 220 coupled to the transmitter/receivers 212, 214.

The communication subsystem 211 sends and receives wirelesscommunication signals over the wireless cellular network 219 via theprimary transmitter/receiver 212 and the primary internal antenna 216.The communication subsystem 211 also sends and receives wirelesscommunication signals over the local area wireless network 221 via thesecondary transmitter/receiver 214 and the secondary internal antenna218.

Signals received by the primary internal antenna 216 from the wirelesscellular network 219 are input to the receiver section of the primarytransmitter/receiver 212, which performs common receiver functions suchas frequency down conversion, and analog to digital (A/D) conversion, inpreparation for more complex communication functions performed by theDSP 220. Signals to be transmitted over the wireless cellular network219 are processed by the DSP 220 and input to transmitter section of theprimary transmitter/receiver 212 for digital to analog conversion,frequency up conversion, and transmission over the wireless cellularnetwork 219 via the primary internal antenna 216.

Similarly, signals received by the secondary internal antenna 218 fromthe local area wireless network 221 are input to the receiver section ofthe secondary transmitter/receiver 214, which performs common receiverfunctions such as frequency down conversion, and analog to digital (A/D)conversion, in preparation for more complex communication functionsperformed by the DSP 220. Signals to be transmitted over the local areawireless network 221 are processed by the DSP 220 and input totransmitter section of the secondary transmitter/receiver 214 fordigital to analog conversion, frequency up conversion, and transmissionover the local area wireless network 221 via the secondary internalantenna 218. As discussed above, the communication subsystem 211 mayinclude more than one DSP 220, in which case the signals transmitted andreceived by the secondary transmitter/receiver 214 would preferably beprocessed by a different DSP than the primary transmitter/receiver 212.

The SIM/RUIM interface 244 is similar to a card-slot into which aSIM/RUIM card can be inserted and ejected like a diskette or PCMCIAcard. The SIM/RUIM card holds many key configurations 251, and otherinformation 253 including subscriber identification information, such asthe International Mobile Subscriber Identity (IMSI) that is associatedwith the handheld communications device 200, and subscriber-relatedinformation, such as the unique PIN that is assigned to the handheldcommunications device 200.

The microprocessor 238 controls the overall operation of the device,interacting with device subsystems such as the display 222, flash memory224, RAM 226, auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems 228, data port230, keyboard 232, speaker 234, microphone 236, short-rangecommunications subsystem 240, and device subsystems 242. The data port230 may comprise a RS-232 port, a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port orother wired data communication port.

As shown, the flash memory 224 includes both computer program storage258 and program data storage 250, 252, 254 and 256. Computer processinginstructions are preferably also stored in the flash memory 224 or othersimilar non-volatile storage. Other computer processing instructions mayalso be loaded into a volatile memory such as RAM 226. The computerprocessing instructions, when accessed from the memory 224, 226 andexecuted by the microprocessor 238 define the operating system, computerprograms, operating system specific applications. The computerprocessing instructions may be installed onto the handheldcommunications device 200 upon manufacture, or may be loaded through thewireless network 219, the auxiliary I/O subsystem 228, the data port230, the short-range communications subsystem 240, or the devicesubsystem 242.

The operating system allows the handheld communications device 200 tooperate the display 222, the auxiliary input/output (I/O) subsystems228, data port 230, keyboard 232, speaker 234, microphone 236,short-range communications subsystem 240, and device subsystems 242.Typically, the computer programs include communication software 306(FIG. 3) that configures the handheld communications device 200 toreceive one or more communication services. For instance, preferably thecommunication software 306 includes internet browser software, e-mailsoftware, telephone software and GPS-mapping software that respectivelyallow the handheld communications device 200 to communicate with variouscomputer servers over the internet, send and receive e-mail, initiateand receive telephone calls, and view electronic maps. Further,preferably the communication mode authorization procedure 302 isconfigured with information identifying the communication mode(s) thatsupport each communication service, and the communication serviceassociated with each communication program.

Preferably, the internet browser software is configured to implement theBlackberry Mobile Data Service (MDS) transport protocol, since webservers 900 configured with MDS transport protocol optimize HTML contentprior to transmission to the handheld communication device 100. MDStransport protocol also allows the handheld communications device 100 toaccess web servers 900 that are located behind a firewall, and issupported over both GSM and WiFi networks. However, the invention is sonot limited, and can be implemented with a non-MDS internet browser,including a browser that is configured to only recognize WML content.

In data communication mode, a received text message or web page downloadwill be processed by the communication subsystem 211 and output to thedisplay 222, or alternatively to an auxiliary I/O device 228. A user ofthe handheld communications device 200 may compose data items such asemail messages for example, using the keyboard 232. Such composed itemsmay then be transmitted over the wireless cellular network 219 or thelocal area wireless network 221 through the communication subsystem 211.

For voice communications, overall operation of the handheldcommunications device 200 is similar, except that received signals wouldpreferably be output to the speaker 234 and signals for transmissionwould be generated by a microphone 236. Further, the display 222 mayprovide an indication of the identity of a calling party, the durationof a voice call, or other voice call related information for example.

FIG. 5 is a flow chart that depicts, by way of overview, the methodimplemented in the handheld communications device 200 for providing auser-indication of the active communication mode(s). The communicationdevice 200 is configured to implement a plurality of wireless modes ofcommunication.

At step S100, the handheld communications device 200 receivesnotification of the wireless communication mode(s) that are available tothe handheld communication device 200. In the example shown in FIG. 1,the wireless cellular network 219 comprises one mode of wirelesscommunication, and the local area wireless network 221 comprises anothermode of wireless communication. However, the invention is not solimited. For instance, in one variation, the communications network 100includes a plurality of non-overlapping local area wireless networks221, in which case each local area wireless network 221 comprises adistinct mode of wireless communication.

Based on the available communication mode indication(s) received by thecommunication device 200, at step S102 the communication device 200provides a user-indication of the active wireless communication mode(s).Preferably, the communication device 200 provides a visual indication ofthe active communication services via a data communication window thatis rendered on the display 222.

Specifically, preferably the communication device 200 is configured toreceive one or more wireless communication services via one or more ofthe modes of wireless communication. In the example shown in FIG. 1, thecommunication services comprise the e-mail service 800 and the webserver 900. However, the invention is not limited to any particularservices. For instance, in one variation, the communications networkservices include a telephony service, a text messaging service, avirtual private network (VPN) service, and a global positioning system(GPS)-mapping service. Other forms of communication services arecontemplated by the invention.

The communication device 200 renders the data communication window onthe display 222. The data communication window facilitates datacommunication with a provider of one of the wireless communicationservices via the available wireless communication mode(s). Preferably,communication device 200 also renders the user-indication of the activewireless communication mode(s) in the data communication window.However, other user-indications are contemplated by the invention, suchas audio indications via the speaker 234.

Further, the user indications may comprise combinations of a combinationof these notification mechanisms.

FIG. 6 depicts, in detail, the sequence of steps performed by thehandheld communications device 200 when providing the user-indication ofthe active communication mode(s) at the communication device 200. Forease of understanding, the following example will assume that theuser-indication is provided in association with the internet browsersoftware that is installed on the communications device 200. It shouldbe understood, however, that the invention is not limited for use withinternet browser software, but may be implemented with othercommunication software 306, such as the e-mail and telephone software.

At step S200, the user of the handheld communications device 200pre-registers to have access to one or more wireless communicationsmodes, if required. For instance, typically a user must pre-register(i.e. subscribe to a wireless coverage plan) to have access to thewireless cellular network 219. Alternately, however, typically a userneed not pre-register to have access to the local area wireless network221. However, the local wireless node 600 might be implemented at acafé, in which case access to the local area wireless network 221 mightbe restricted to customers of the café.

At step S200, the user of the handheld communications device 200 alsopre-registers to have access to one or more services on the handheldcommunications device 200. In the example shown in FIG. 1, thecommunication services comprise the e-mail service 800 and the webserver 900. However, as discussed above, the communication services mayalso include other services, such as a telephony service, a textmessaging service, a virtual private network (VPN) service, and/or aglobal positioning system (GPS)-mapping service.

One or more of these communication services may be pay-for-use services.For instance, the e-mail service 800, the telephony service, and thetext messaging service may be available only by subscription.Accordingly, at step S200, the user of the handheld communicationsdevice 200 pre-registers with the provider of the pay-for-use service(s)prior to gaining access to the service. The service provider of thepay-for-use service maintain records for each registered user of thepay-for-use communication service.

Other communication services may be restricted, for security reasons, tocertain pre-authorized users. For instance, the web server 900 maycomprise a business intranet, which is available only to authorizedemployees. A business VPN service would also typically be available onlyto authorized employees. Accordingly, at step S200, the user of thehandheld communications device 200 also pre-registers with the providerof the restricted service(s) prior to gaining access to the service. Asabove, the service provider maintain records for each registered user ofthe restricted communication service.

Conversely, other communication services may be unrestricted. Forinstance, the web service 900 and the GPS-mapping service may bepublicly available. The user of the handheld communications device 200would not have to register with the provider of the unrestrictedservices, at step S200, to gain access to the service.

After the user of the handheld communications device 200 pre-registerswith the wireless communication modes and communication serviceproviders (as may be required), at step S202 the communications device200 detects the communication modes that are available to thecommunications device 200 in the geographical region in which thecommunications device 200 is currently located. To do so, thecommunication mode authorization procedure 302 determines the signalstrength of the RF carrier signals that are received at the primaryinternal antenna 216 and the secondary internal antenna 218.

At step S204, the communication mode authorization procedure 302attempts to attach to the detected communication mode(s). If thecommunication mode authorization procedure 302 detects only the presenceof a single communication mode, and the signal strength of the detectedcommunication mode is greater than a minimum threshold level, thecommunication mode selection procedure 302 attempts to attach to thatdetected communication mode. However, more than one communication modemay be available to the handheld communications device 200, with thesignal strength of each communication mode being greater than therespective minimum threshold level. Therefore, preferably thecommunication mode selection procedure 302 is configured to attempt toattach to each detected communication mode whose signal strength isgreater than a minimum threshold level.

To attach to a detected communication mode, typically the communicationmode authorization procedure 302 transmits subscriber information to thecommunication mode provider, if required by the detected communicationmode. If the user of the handheld communications device 200 isauthorized to use the detected communication mode, the communicationmode provider responds to the communication mode authorization procedure302 with a confirmatory notice.

For instance, if the detected communication mode is a GSM network 219,and the handheld communications device 200 has recently powered up andis configured with communication protocol software for GSMcommunication, the communication mode selection procedure 302 attemptsto register with the GSM network by transmitting the IMSI of thehandheld communications device 200 to the GSM network provider. If theuser of the handheld communications device 200 is authorized to use thedetected communication mode, the network provider responds to the IMSIwith a Temporary Mobile Subscriber Identity (TMSI).

Similarly, if the handheld communications device 200 is configured withcommunication protocol software for data (e.g. GPRS/EDGE) communication,the communication mode selection procedure 302 attempts to register forGPRS/EDGE data communication with the core network 500 by issuing anattach request to the core network 500. If the core network 500previously assigned a Packet-TMSI (P-TMSI) to the handheldcommunications device 200, the attach request includes the P-TMSI, therouting area identity (RAI) of the routing area where the P-TMSI wasassigned, and information concerning the data communication capabilitiesof the handheld communications device 200 (e.g. supported frequencybands, ciphering capabilities). If the user of the handheldcommunications device 200 is authorized to use the detectedcommunication mode, the core network 500 responds to the handheldcommunications device 200 with an attach accept message, which includesa new P-TMSI.

If the detected communication mode is a WiFi (IEEE 802.11x) network 221,and the handheld communications device 200 is configured withcommunication protocol software for WiFi communication, thecommunication mode selection procedure 302 listens for the Service SetIdentifier (SSID) that is broadcast (if any) by the base station 602 ofthe local wireless node 600, and then connects to the local wirelessnode 600 having the specified SSID. Further, if access to the WiFinetwork 221 is restricted to pre-registered users of the WiFi network221, the handheld communication device 100 transmits to the base station602 the user's assigned username/password to thereby gain access to theWiFi network 221.

Step S204 may involve multiple attach attempts, particularly where morethan one communication mode is detected, but the communication modeselection procedure 302 determines that it is not authorized to use oneof the detected communication modes. Therefore, in the event that thecommunication mode selection procedure 302 attempts to attach to one ofthe detected communication modes, and determines that it is notauthorized to use that communication mode, the communication modeselection procedure 302 still attempts to attach to the other detectedcommunication mode(s) (if available).

After the handheld communications device 200 has successfully attachedto one or more of the detected communication modes, at step S206 theuser of the handheld communications device 200 invokes the communicationsoftware 306 on the handheld communications device 200 for datacommunication with a provider of a desired communication service. Inresponse, the invoked communication software 306 renders a datacommunication window on the LCD display 222 of the handheldcommunications device 200. The data communication window facilitatesdata communication with the communication service provider, and displaysinformation that is received from and/or transmitted to thecommunication service provider.

Preferably, the invoked communication software 306 is configured tofacilitate data communication with the communication service providervia more than one data communication mode. Further, preferably thedesired communication service is an internet browser service, such asthe internet service provided by the web servers 900. However, asdiscussed above, the user may invoke other communication software 306,such as the e-mail software, the telephone software or the GPS-mappingsoftware.

The invoked communication software 306 attempts to communicate with oneof the communication service providers. To do so, at step S208, thecommunication software 306 requests that the communication modeauthorization procedure 302 open a communication channel with the datacommunication service provider that is associated with the invokedcommunication software.

For instance, if the user of the handheld communications device 200invokes the internet browser software, the communication software 306will request the communication mode authorization procedure 302 initiatedata communication with one or more of the web servers 900. If the userinvokes the e-mail software, the communication software 306 will requestthe communication mode authorization procedure 302 initiate datacommunication with the e-mail service 800. If the user invokes thetelephone software, the communication software 306 will request thecommunication mode authorization procedure 302 initiate datacommunication with a voice over IP (VoIP) service provider (not shown).

In response, at step S210 the communication transport mode authorizationprocedure 302 selects one of the communication transport modes as theactive communication transport mode. The communication transport modeselected by the communication mode authorization procedure 302, at stepS210, depends, in part, upon the communication mode(s) to which thecommunication mode selection procedure 302 successfully attached.

For instance, if the communication mode authorization procedure 302 onlysuccessfully attached to the wireless cellular network 219, and therequested data communication service is available via the communicationmode that is supported on that network (e.g. GPRS or EDGE), thecommunication mode authorization procedure 302 will select “cellular” asthe active communication mode. Conversely, if the communication modeauthorization procedure 302 only successfully attached to the local areawireless network 221, and the requested data communication service isavailable via the communication mode that is supported on that network,the communication mode authorization procedure 302 will select “WiFi” asthe active communication mode.

The communication mode selected by the communication transport modedetermining procedure 302, at step S210, also depends on theavailability of the data communication service via the respectivecommunication mode(s). Accordingly, as discussed above, preferably thecommunication mode determining procedure 302 is configured withinformation identifying the communication mode(s) that support eachcommunication service, and the communication service associated witheach communication program. Therefore, if the communication modeselection procedure 302 successfully attached to more than onecommunication mode, preferably the communication mode selectionprocedure 302 is configured to select a preferred communication mode asthe active communication mode if the requested data communicationservice is available to the handheld communications device 200 via morethan one of these communication modes. Conversely, if the requested datacommunication service is only available via one of these communicationmodes, the communication transport mode authorization procedure 302selects the communication mode that can provide the requestedcommunication service.

For instance, if the handheld communications device 200 is authorized touse both the wireless cellular network 219 and the local area wirelessnetwork 221, and the requested data communication service is availablevia GPRS/EDGE and WiFi communication transport modes, to reducecommunication costs preferably the communication mode selectionprocedure 302 initially selects “WiFi” as the active communication mode.However, if the requested data communication service is only availablevia GPRS/EDGE, the communication mode authorization procedure 302selects “cellular” as the active communication mode, notwithstandingthat the local area wireless network 221 is otherwise available to thehandheld communications device 200.

If none of the foregoing conditions are met (e.g. the handheldcommunications device 200 does not detect the presence of anycommunication mode, or none of the detected communication modes areavailable to the handheld communications device 200, or the serviceassociated with the invoked communications software 306 is not availablevia any of the authorized detected communication modes), thecommunication mode selection procedure 302 does not select an activecommunication mode.

At step S212, the communication transport mode authorization procedure302 opens a communication channel with the communication service via theactive communication transport mode. The invoked communication softwarethen commences communication with the associated service provider viathe active communication transport mode.

At step S214, the communication mode indicating procedure 304 determinesthe active communication mode from the communication mode selectionprocedure 302, and renders a communication mode icon on the datacommunication window that is indicative of the active communicationmode. The communication software 306 continues data communication withthe associated service provider via the active communication mode.

The communication mode selection procedure 302 continuously determinesthe communication modes that are available to the handheldcommunications device 200, and notifies the communication modeindicating procedure 304 of any changes in the active communicationmode. Therefore, if the handheld communications device 200 moves from aregion that serviced by one communication mode to a region that isserviced by another communication mode, the communication modeindication procedure 304 will dynamically update the user-indication ofthe new active communication mode. The communication software 306continues communication with the communication service provider via thenew active communication mode, to the extent that the communicationservice is available over the new active communication mode.

Preferably, the communication mode icons comprise graphical text-likelabels. For instance, if the active communication mode is “WiFi”,preferably the communication mode icon comprises a graphical “WiFi”label. If the active communication mode is “cellular”, and the handheldcommunications device 200 is configured for EDGE data communication,preferably the communication mode icon comprises a graphical “EDGE”label. If the active communication mode is “cellular”, and the handheldcommunications device 200 is only configured for GPRS datacommunication, preferably the communication mode icon comprises agraphical “GPRS” label.

Alternately, if the communication mode selection procedure 302 did notselect an active communication mode, preferably the communication modeicon comprises a graphical “edge” or “gprs” label, depending upon theconfiguration of the handheld communications device 200, to indicatethat the handheld communications device 200 is configured for GPRS orEDGE data communication, as the case may be, but that such datacommunication service is not available to the handheld communicationsdevice 200.

It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited tothe foregoing communication mode icons. Rather, other communication modeicons, such as graphical symbols, that are capable of indicating theactive communication mode are contemplated by the invention.

Preferably, the communication mode indicating procedure 304 renders thecommunication mode as graphical text-like labels in a status bar of thedata communication window. Sample data communication windows, depictingpreferred text-like labels, are shown in FIGS. 7 to 9.

FIG. 7 depicts a data communication window 1000 which includes aninformation window 1002, and a status bar 1004 above the informationwindow 1002. The information window 1002 is used to render informationon the display 222 based on the HTML and/or WML web pages that arereceived from the web servers 900. The status bar 1004 includes ane-mail read status icon 1006, and a encryption status icon 1008.

The e-mail read status icon 1006 indicates whether the e-mailcommunication software has any unread e-mail messages. The encryptionstatus icon 1008 indicates whether the communication channel between thehandheld communications device 100 and the web server 900 is encrypted.The status bar 1004 also includes a graphical “WiFi” label 1010 whichindicates that WiFi is the active communication mode.

FIG. 8 depicts a data communication window 1100, which is a variant ofthe data communication window of FIG. 7. The data communication window1100 includes a an information window 1102, and a status bar 1104 whichare respectively substantially identical to the information window 1002and the status bar 1004. However, the status bar 1104 includes agraphical “EDGE” label 1110 instead of the graphical “WiFi” label 1010.The “EDGE” label 1110 indicates that EDGE is the active datacommunication mode.

FIG. 9 depicts a data communication window 1200, which is a variant ofthe data communication window of FIG. 7. The data communication window1200 includes an information window 1202, and a status bar 1204 whichare respectively substantially identical to the information window 1002and the status bar 1004. However, the status bar 1204 includes agraphical “edge” label 1210 instead of the graphical “WiFi” label 1010.The lower-case “edge” label 1210 indicates that GSM is the activecommunication mode. This lower-case label is preferred over a “GSM”label since it is rendered when either of the following conditionsexist:

-   -   (1) the handheld communications device 100 is configured for        EDGE/GPRS data communication, but the core network 500 does not        support EDGE/GPRS; or    -   (2) that the handheld communications device 100 is not        authorized for EDGE/GPRS data communication.

The scope of the monopoly desired for the invention is defined by theclaims appended hereto, with the foregoing description being merelyillustrative of the preferred embodiment of the invention. Persons ofordinary skill may envisage modifications to the described embodimentwhich, although not explicitly suggested herein, do not depart from thescope of the invention, as defined by the appended claims.

1. A method at a user equipment, comprising: detecting availablecommunication modes for the user equipment; attaching the user equipmentto each of the available communication modes; invoking a communicationservice; when the communication service is available over more than oneattached communication mode, selecting an active communication mode fromthe attached communication modes based on a user preference; when thecommunication service is available over only one attached communicationmode, selecting the one attached communication mode as the activecommunication mode; and using the active communication mode for thecommunication service.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein thecommunication service comprises a data communication service.
 3. Themethod of claim 1, wherein each of the communication modes is availableover a wireless carrier frequency, and further comprises the steps oftransmitting over at least one of the wireless carrier frequenciesregistration information to a provider of the associated communicationmode, and receiving from the communication mode provider anauthorization for use of the respective communication mode.
 4. Themethod of claim 1, further comprising monitoring whether the selectedcommunication mode changes, and when the selected communication modechanges, updating an icon on a window for the communication service. 5.The method of claim 1, wherein the communication service comprises atleast one of an e-mail service, a web service, a telephony service, atext messaging service, a virtual private network service, and a globalpositioning system mapping service.
 6. The method of claim 2, whereinthe data communication mode comprises a cellular communication mode andan icon displayed for the communication service comprises a cellularicon indicating the cellular communication mode.
 7. The method of claim2, wherein the data communication mode comprises a cellularcommunication mode or a WiFi communication mode, and an icon displayedfor the communication service comprises a cellular icon indicating thecellular communication mode or a WiFi icon indicating the WiFicommunication mode.
 8. The method of claim 1, further comprisingdisplaying information about the utilized data communication modeconcurrently with a window for the communication service on a userinterface of the handheld communication device.
 9. The method of claim8, wherein the information is an icon on the user interface of thehandheld communication device.
 10. A wireless communications devicecomprising: a processor; a display; and a communication subsystem,wherein the wireless communications device is configured to: detectavailable communication modes for the user equipment; attach the userequipment to each of the available communication modes; invoke acommunication service; when the communication service is available overmore than one attached communication mode, select an activecommunication mode from the attached communication modes based on a userpreference; when the communication service is available over only oneattached communication mode, select the one attached communication modeas the active communication mode; and use the active communication modefor the communication service.
 11. The wireless communications device ofclaim 10, wherein the communication service comprises a datacommunication service.
 12. The wireless communications device of claim10, wherein each of the communication modes is available over a wirelesscarrier frequency, and wherein the wireless communications device isfurther configured to transmit over at least one of the wireless carrierfrequencies registration information to a provider of the associatedcommunication mode, and receive from the communication mode provider anauthorization for use of the respective communication mode.
 13. Thewireless communications device of claim 10, wherein the wirelesscommunications device is further configured to monitor whether theselected communication mode changes, and when the selected communicationmode changes, to update an icon on a display for the communicationservice.
 14. The wireless communications device of claim 10, wherein thecommunication service comprises at least one of an e-mail service, a webservice, a telephony service, a text messaging service, a virtualprivate network service, and a global positioning system mappingservice.
 15. The wireless communications device of claim 11, wherein thedata communication mode comprises a cellular communication mode and anicon displayed for the communication service comprises a cellular iconindicating the cellular communication mode.
 16. The wirelesscommunications device of claim 11, wherein the data communication modecomprises a WiFi communication mode and an icon displayed for thecommunication service comprises a WiFi icon indicating the WiFicommunication mode.
 17. The wireless communications device of claim 10,wherein the wireless communications device is further configured todisplay information about the utilized data communication modeconcurrently with a window for the communication service on a userinterface of the handheld communication device.
 18. The wirelesscommunications device of claim 17, wherein the information is an icon onthe user interface of the wireless communication device.
 19. Anon-transitory computer readable medium having instructions storedthereon for execution by a processor of a wireless communicationsdevice, the instructions comprising code for: detecting availablecommunication modes for the user equipment; attaching the user equipmentto each of the available communication modes; invoking a communicationservice; when the communication service is available over more than oneattached communication mode, selecting an active communication mode fromthe attached communication modes based on a user preference; when thecommunication service is available over only one attached communicationmode, selecting the one attached communication mode as the activecommunication mode; and using the active communication mode for thecommunication service.